DOJ's $135K Motorola Radio Contract Awarded to Incumbent for 3 Years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $135,754 ($135.8K)

Contractor: Motorola Solutions, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2023-09-30

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,096 days

Daily Burn Rate: $124/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: BPA CALL #2: DISTRICT #26 MOTOROLA STARCOM21 RADIO SOLUTIONS CF: APC-FY22-000184

Place of Performance

Location: CHICAGO, COOK County, ILLINOIS, 60661

State: Illinois Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $135,754 to MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS, INC. for work described as: BPA CALL #2: DISTRICT #26 MOTOROLA STARCOM21 RADIO SOLUTIONS CF: APC-FY22-000184 Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single, established provider, potentially limiting cost savings from competition. 2. The fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost certainty for the government. 3. The contract duration of three years offers stability for the U.S. Marshals Service's communication needs. 4. Spending on radio solutions falls within the broader telecommunications equipment manufacturing sector. 5. The award was made under a streamlined procurement process, suggesting a focus on efficiency. 6. The contract's value is relatively small in the context of federal IT and communications spending.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $135,754 over three years for radio solutions appears modest. Benchmarking against similar contracts is challenging without more detailed specifications of the equipment and services. However, given the single-source nature of the award under a BPA call, it's difficult to definitively assess value for money. The firm fixed-price structure provides predictability, but the absence of competitive bidding may have precluded potentially lower prices.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

This contract was competed under a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call, which is a type of limited competition. While the specific details of the competition are not provided, BPA calls are typically used to fulfill recurring needs with pre-vetted vendors. The fact that it was a BPA call suggests that Motorola Solutions was likely one of several pre-approved vendors, but it does not necessarily imply a full and open competition among all potential suppliers in the market.

Taxpayer Impact: Limited competition under a BPA call may result in prices that are not as aggressively negotiated as those from a full and open competition, potentially leading to slightly higher costs for taxpayers.

Public Impact

The U.S. Marshals Service benefits from reliable and potentially upgraded radio communication systems. This contract ensures the continuity of essential communication services for law enforcement operations. The geographic impact is primarily within the operational areas of the U.S. Marshals Service nationwide. The contract supports the workforce of Motorola Solutions, Inc. through continued business.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for higher costs due to limited competition under the BPA call.
Lack of transparency regarding the specific competitive process used for this BPA call.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical communication equipment could pose future supply chain risks.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides budget certainty.
Award to an established vendor like Motorola Solutions suggests a known quantity and potentially reliable performance.
The contract duration offers stability for the agency's communication needs.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the 'Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing' sector. This sector is characterized by rapid technological advancements and significant investment in infrastructure. Federal spending in this area often supports public safety, defense, and critical infrastructure communications. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other federal contracts for similar radio systems, which can range from tens of thousands to millions of dollars depending on the scope and technology.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract included a small business set-aside. Given the award to Motorola Solutions, Inc., a large corporation, it is unlikely that small businesses were directly involved as the prime contractor. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses are not specified in the provided data, but are generally less common when a large, established vendor secures a direct award for specialized equipment.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the U.S. Marshals Service's contracting and program management offices. As a BPA call, it leverages existing oversight mechanisms established for the parent BPA. Transparency is limited by the nature of the data provided, but contract awards are generally reported in federal procurement databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Law Enforcement Communications
Public Safety Radio Systems
Department of Justice IT Procurement
Wireless Communications Equipment

Risk Flags

Limited competition
Potential for non-optimal pricing
Vendor lock-in risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $135,754 to MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS, INC.. BPA CALL #2: DISTRICT #26 MOTOROLA STARCOM21 RADIO SOLUTIONS CF: APC-FY22-000184

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (U.S. Marshals Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $135,754.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-09-30. End: 2026-09-30.

What specific radio models and services are included in this $135,754 contract?

The provided data does not specify the exact radio models or services covered under this BPA Call. It is identified as 'MOTOROLA STARCOM21 RADIO SOLUTIONS'. STARCOM21 is a public safety radio system, likely involving digital mobile radio (DMR) technology. The contract value would encompass the purchase of equipment (radios, accessories, potentially base stations or repeaters) and possibly associated software licenses, maintenance, or support services for the three-year period. Further details would require accessing the full contract documentation or agency procurement files.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar federal procurements for Motorola radio systems?

Direct price comparison is difficult without knowing the exact specifications of the radios and services procured. However, the total value of $135,754 over three years suggests a relatively small quantity of equipment or a limited scope of services. Federal contracts for large-scale radio system deployments or significant quantities of advanced radios can easily reach millions of dollars. The firm fixed-price nature provides cost certainty, but the limited competition aspect means it may not represent the absolute lowest price achievable in a broader market scenario. Benchmarking would require access to detailed pricing data from comparable, competitively bid contracts.

What is the track record of Motorola Solutions, Inc. with the U.S. Marshals Service and other federal agencies?

Motorola Solutions, Inc. is a major, long-standing provider of communication solutions to government agencies, including federal law enforcement. They have a significant track record supplying radios, command and control systems, and related services to various entities within the Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security, and other federal departments. Their experience typically includes providing mission-critical communication systems for public safety and national security. Past performance is often a key factor in awarding contracts, especially under BPA vehicles, suggesting the U.S. Marshals Service has had satisfactory prior dealings with the company.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding this contract under a BPA call to a single vendor?

The primary risk is the potential for suboptimal pricing due to limited competition. When a contract is awarded via a BPA call to a single vendor, especially if it's the incumbent, there's less pressure to offer the most aggressive pricing compared to a full and open competition. Additionally, over-reliance on a single vendor for critical equipment can create supply chain vulnerabilities or lock the agency into specific technologies, potentially hindering future flexibility or innovation. However, BPA calls are often used for efficiency and to leverage pre-negotiated terms, balancing these risks against administrative savings.

How does this contract fit into the overall federal spending on wireless communications equipment?

This $135,754 contract represents a very small fraction of the total federal spending on wireless communications equipment, which likely amounts to billions of dollars annually across all agencies. Federal agencies procure a vast array of wireless technologies, including radios for public safety, cellular infrastructure, satellite communications, and specialized data transmission equipment. This specific award supports the operational needs of the U.S. Marshals Service for their radio communication systems, a critical but niche component within the broader federal telecommunications landscape. Its size suggests it's for specific equipment needs rather than a large-scale system overhaul.

What is the expected impact on the U.S. Marshals Service's operational capabilities?

This contract is expected to ensure the continued availability and reliability of essential radio communication systems for the U.S. Marshals Service. Reliable communication is fundamental to law enforcement operations, enabling coordination during investigations, fugitive apprehension, witness protection, and daily field activities. By securing these 'MOTOROLA STARCOM21 RADIO SOLUTIONS' for three years, the agency maintains its ability to communicate effectively across its operational areas, supporting its core mission of enforcing federal law and ensuring the safety of federal courts and personnel.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Communications Equipment Manufacturing › Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - NETWORK

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 15M10222QA4700135

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 809 PINNACLE DR STE G, LINTHICUM HEIGHTS, MD, 21090

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $135,888

Exercised Options: $135,888

Current Obligation: $135,754

Actual Outlays: $46,906

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15M10222AA4701867

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline